Notice: This opinion is subject to correction before publication in the PACIFIC REPORTER. Readers are requested to bring errors to the attention of the Clerk of the Appellate Courts, 303 K Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, phone (907) 264-0608, fax (907) 264-0878, email corrections@appellate.courts.state.ak.us.

Jomell Barbee and Shayla Williams both seek primary physical custody of their young son De'Shawn. Barbee and Williams have shared custody of De'Shawn since their separation in February 2008. In April 2009 Williams requested a change in custody because she planned to move to Washington and because Barbee had pleaded guilty to an assault involving an act of domestic violence toward Williams. After a hearing in June 2009, the superior court concluded that it was in De'Shawn's best interests to continue the shared custody arrangement as long as both parents remained in Anchorage but awarded primary physical custody to Barbee if and when Williams relocated out of state. Williams appeals the superior court's custody award, arguing primarily that the court should not have granted custody to Barbee because Barbee had a "history of domestic violence" that raised a rebuttable statutory presumption against custody and he had not overcome the presumption.

Because the trial court was presented with multiple allegations of abuse and found that at least one incident of domestic violence had been perpetrated by Barbee, it was required to make an express finding as to whether Barbee had a "history of perpetrating domestic violence" under AS 25.24.150(h). Failure to make this finding was plain error. We thus reverse and remand for the superior court to make an express determination whether there is a "history of perpetrating domestic violence." If the superior court finds that Barbee has this history, it must address the statutory presumption against awarding custody to Barbee under AS 25.24.150(g) before awarding any custody to Barbee.*fn1

II. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

A. Barbee And Williams's Relationship And Divorce

Jomell Barbee and Shayla Williams (f/k/a Shayla Barbee) are the parents of De'Shawn Barbee. De'Shawn was born on November 30, 2005. Barbee and Williams married on April 14, 2006 in Anchorage. Williams alleges that Barbee was abusive during the parties' marriage; she claims that Barbee had "anger issues" and that arguments would "always turn into something bigger than expected and would eventually end with him abusing [her]." According to Williams, Barbee would "choke . . . hit . . . kick . . . [and] throw [her] on the ground" and several times she called the police.

On the night of December 17, 2007, Barbee allegedly "tackled [Williams] from behind and put her in a headlock." Williams stated that Barbee "used both arms and strangled [Williams] to the point she thought that she would lose consciousness" and after Barbee "let go" Williams experienced vomiting, difficulty breathing, and trouble swallowing. Williams later alleged that she had to fight for her life and thought that she was going to die. Williams called the police the next morning; when the police arrived they observed that Williams had "pet[e]chia*fn2 on her neck and behind both ears" and "what appeared to be blood pooled behind both of her lower eyelids and red marks on her right arm and wrist." Barbee was arrested and charged with assault in the second degree on December 20.

On February 15, 2008, while the criminal charge against him was pending, Barbee filed for divorce. Barbee and Williams, acting pro se, came to an agreement regarding custody and property division at a December 10, 2008 status hearing. On February 11, 2009, the superior court entered a decree of divorce stating that Barbee and Williams had been able to negotiate a settlement regarding property and child custody. Barbee and Williams agreed to have joint legal custody and shared physical custody of De'Shawn; De'Shawn would spend Friday afternoon through Monday morning with Barbee and Monday morning through Friday afternoon with Williams, with alternating holiday arrangements.

On February 27, 2009, Barbee pleaded guilty to the third-degree assault charge that arose from the December 2007 incident. He was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment with 23 months suspended and three years probation. As part of his probation, Barbee agreed to enroll in and complete a 24-week state-approved Domestic Violence Intervention Program and not to have any contact with Williams.

B. Williams's Request For Custody Modification

On April 27, 2009, Williams filed a motion to modify the custody arrangement based on two distinct changed circumstances. She first argued that Barbee's guilty plea to a felony assault charge stemming from an act of domestic violence warranted a change in custody. Specifically citing AS 25.24.150(g) and (h), Williams contended that Barbee's plea proved that he had engaged in domestic violence, making him ineligible for a physical custody award unless he overcame the statutory presumption against custody. Williams added that co-parenting was no longer an option because Barbee was prohibited from having contact with Williams and because Williams did not "feel comfortable or safe sharing custody" with Barbee.

Williams also argued for custody modification because she planned to move to Washington with her soon-to-be husband. She stated that it would be in De'Shawn's best interests to move with her. Williams allowed that De'Shawn had always lived in Alaska and had ties to Barbee's family in the state, but argued that because De'Shawn was only three years old, he would easily be able to adapt to a new environment.

Barbee opposed Williams's motion, arguing that pleading guilty to a single act of domestic violence did not constitute a "history of perpetrating domestic violence." Barbee stated that it would be "mentally and emotionally devastating" to De'Shawn to leave Barbee's extended family in Alaska. Barbee then asked for full legal and physical custody of De'Shawn.

C. The Modification Hearing And The Superior Court's Custody Award

On June 24, 2009, the superior court held a hearing on Williams's motion to modify custody. The court initially found that Williams's reasons for leaving the state were "a legitimate change in circumstances" such that the court would determine what custody arrangement would be in De'Shawn's best interests if and when Williams moved out of state.

The court heard testimony from both parties. Barbee argued that it would be best for De'Shawn to stay in Alaska because De'Shawn had been born and raised in Anchorage and Barbee's extended family members in Anchorage provided care and support to both Barbee and De'Shawn. Barbee explained how he provides for De'Shawn's financial, physical, and mental needs. He also testified that De'Shawn had been in a "stable" environment and that despite the parties' divorce he had encouraged the relationship between De'Shawn and Williams. When asked about the assault, Barbee admitted that he "choked" Williams, calling it "a terrible mistake." He disputed that he ever "beat" Williams as she alleged. Barbee testified that he was taking domestic violence classes and planned to complete them within the month.

Williams also testified that she provides for De'Shawn's needs. She agreed that De'Shawn was in a "stable" environment in Anchorage, but explained that he was "still pretty young" and "very adaptable to changes." She also detailed how she would make sure that De'Shawn stayed in touch with Barbee if she moved out of state. Williams believed that it would be best for De'Shawn to move with her to Washington because she and her husband could provide a "family structure" ...

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